Thankful

Gumbo, 5 Cheese Mac n' Cheese, Cranberry Sauce, Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Bourbon Pecan Pie... Like so many around the world, Thanksgiving is a favorite celebration of mine because special memories were forever being created for all involved. For almost 20 years my sister and I would cook wonderful homemade feasts. All were welcome. Family, friends, and every combo in between. No small task for 40+ guests. Oh so worth it!   Now that we live in different states this year my day will be a party of 2. Surprising to both myself and mate although we miss the good old days we realized how special this is as it our first time alone on this day in 20 years. 

 Today many of us will gather with loved ones, overeat, watch football and eat leftovers for days.  In all the grandeur of it all, I wanted to take this time for some things I am thankful for...

• opening my eyes yet another day
  
• that gas prices are at a rate where I can fill up my tank and my belly
  
• true friends, who never have a hidden agenda
  
• finding new ways to stretch a hard earned buck and being able to make it in the first place
  
• new ideas and those that inspire me
  
• laughter and love
  
• believing against all odds that each day presents an opportunity to improve
  
• spooning
  
• having an open heart 
  
•  always recognizing that the little things in life have always been important even before the economy shifted things for all of us
  

So later today when you get hit with Fat Belly Shut Eye remember to free yourself of all the angst that creeps up on all of us from time to time because being thankful should be a daily occurrence.

On the Horizon

Some great things for my shop are in the developmental phase but I'm excited that each day things are slowly coming together..

Spring Thoughts

It's not even December yet, and here in Gilbert there isn't a fleck of snow to be found but when I saw this vase at Wrapables it made me think of life anew and my Spring collection I am working on currently.  

Home Studio

I previously outfitted part of a closet in my guest bedroom for my handmade projects and thought is was ultra lovely, but I must admit with things out of sight inspiration seems tucked away also. Funny how the smallest things can bring about inspiration.  I thought the storage box would be great to house yearly collections of my cards and this little hobknob would be great to clip current card designs and fabric swatches out on my desk. Both are from The Container Store.  I  realize I have the perfect area to bring my home studio to life by converting my library to my craft and reading studio. I'm on a quest to have my items out in the open but in the most stylish way possible and I don't want to wait until the new year. I don't like clutter but maintaining tools and supplies is a challenge. There is a hall closet adjacent to this room which I will use for packaging, gift wrapping and shipping.  I've already painted my desk in a glossy black and have one of two cubbie style book cases from Ikea.  One will be for my books and the other will be for the studio. I've parted with half of my books either by donating them or selling them as I'm always reading something.  This will be an ongoing project but I aim to do something every week until it is complete.  Stay tuned I will have photos to chart my progress. 

Craftsomnia

Don't ya just love it when you take prescribed meds and it says "May cause drowsiness" when it actually means at any given moment you will be knocked on your arse in a semi-comatose state.  Well, I fought the good fight last night and got my crafty on.  With no winks and a few nods I managed in a fog if you will, to work on my new collection of cards and bath teas all while vying for fabrics for pillows. Long live crafsominia because life's too short to sleep.

So Inviting...

ahh the loggia area. makes me want a cup of tea
Love clavos (nailheads). Both of these are courtesy of house beautiful.

Cupcake Dreamin

I'm home a bit under the weather today and the meds my doc gave me to take has me snoozing off and on.  While in one of my med induced slumbers, I dreamt about cupcakes.  These are from the famous Sprinkles in CA.  My and I have to hit this place when I visit next week.

...these just made me feel better

Pera

Pera is pear in Spanish.  This collection is part of my newest notecard set.  My shop will have items for your mind, body and spirit.  Quotable notables,  Cards, Bath teas, Bath salts, Pillows, Bookmarkers, Artisian Dominoe sets, and lovely whatnots will all be available soon

2009 Calendar

I'm lovin on this calendar by Springcartdesigns. 

  

1913 Was A Very Good Year

Over the weekend I had the honor to celebrate with and for my GIL aka Pancar who is 95 years old today.  Among the guests was my other GIL aka Nana Ambush who turned 90 in September.  Folks came from Northern & Southern California, Boston and various areas of Arizona.  On Saturday it all began with facials, makeup applications, faux lashes, a luncheon and a tear jerking video presentation of Pancar's illustrious life.  That evening a limo arrived with red carpet rolled out for my little mama and off we went for dinner and dancing.  Sunday was gift opening and brunch at my home.  I joke with these two wonderful grandmas of mine through marriage that they are not getting old but have arrived and are at the door, honey.  But these two women are in amazing health, walk upright, cook and clothe themselves, wear heels, have all their own teeth and was on the dance floor at the Jazz Bistro here in Gilbert, AZ longer than me (wine and chocolate martinis may have aided in my early departure from gettin' my groove on). Nonetheless, they are forces to reckon with.  They are so full of wisdom and have seen it all including a historic change in the White House.  To be a witness and take part in such a phenomenal event is something that will always be etched in my memory bank.  The invitations and favors were done by my divine cousin My of Springcartdesigns.